Animas High School will be adding its first parent-elected director to its board in December, and the election will be run completely by its students.
Until now, sitting board members have elected new members after an application and interview process.
Board secretary Linda Fitts-Liberman said parents will elect the director, but that person does not have to be a parent.
The board is interested in three skill sets in particular, but not having those skill sets shouldn’t deter people from applying, she said.
The school is looking for people experienced in financial issues, including banks and trusts; facilities, from planning and real estate to repairs and maintenance; and development, including fundraising and running a capital campaign as Animas prepares to build its own school.
School board members typically spend three to six hours weekly on board work, attend monthly meetings and AHS events, and they will probably chair at least one committee.
Fitts-Liberman said the Student Advisory Council will run the election. La Plata County Clerk and Recorder Tiffany Parker will help them, using the same process the county uses in local elections.
“Besides adding a parent-elected director to the board, this process will be a great civics lesson for our students, emphasizing the importance of elections, registering and voting,” Fitts-Liberman said.
abutler@durangoherald.com
To learn more
Applications and more information about running for the Animas High School board are available at www.animashighschool.com.
For questions or more information, email Thomas.morrissey@animashighschool.com.
Key election dates:
Applications due 3 p.m. Nov. 2. Personal information will be redacted, and applications will be posted to the school’s website.
All interested candidates must attend a mandatory school board of directors meeting for orientation Nov. 11. Parents are encouraged to attend to ask questions.
One ballot per school family will be sent home with students Nov. 13.
Ballots must be returned by 3 p.m. Dec. 7, when La Plata County Clerk and Recorder Tiffany Lee Parker will help with the counting.